John Witherspoon Paisley Roots: The Scottish Minister Who Signed the Declaration of Independence

Portrait of Rev. John Witherspoon, sixth president of Princeton and signer of the Declaration of Independence.

John Witherspoon, born in Paisley, Scotland, would go on to sign the American Declaration of Independence but his story began in a Scottish kirk.

Before he was a founding father of the United States, before his name was etched into the Declaration, Witherspoon was a son of Paisley.

Born in 1723 at Giffnock and educated at the University of Edinburgh, Witherspoon was ordained as a minister and came to Paisley to serve at the Laigh Kirk (now the site of Paisley Arts Centre). It was here, under the shadow of the Abbey, that he honed the oratory and conviction that would one day help shape a nation.

From Paisley Pulpit to Philadelphia

Witherspoon served as minister in Paisley for over a decade. Known for his sharp intellect and firm Calvinist theology, he became a respected voice not just in the church, but in public life. In 1768, he was invited to become President of the College of New Jersey — now Princeton University.

There, he mentored a generation of American leaders, including James Madison, and became a vocal advocate for independence. In 1776, he signed the Declaration of Independence — the only clergyman to do so.

John Witherspoon (seated, far right) among the signers of the Declaration of Independence

A Global Legacy Rooted in Local Soil

Witherspoon's contributions were immense: he reshaped American education, laid foundations for representative government, and helped birth a republic. But his roots remained firmly Scottish.

He brought a Paisley-born sense of justice, moral clarity and scholarly rigour to everything he did. In many ways, he was proof that ideas born in Scotland could change the world.

Why It Matters to Paisley

Witherspoon is often celebrated in the U.S., but his story is under-told here. How many locals know that one of the architects of American democracy once preached just steps from Paisley Abbey?

This is not just a historical curiosity, it's a reminder of Paisley's far-reaching impact. That from this very town came thinkers, rebels, reformers — and even revolutionaries.

Plaque in Paisley commemorating Rev. John Witherspoon’s role in American independence

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was John Witherspoon from Paisley?

John Witherspoon was a Scottish minister from Paisley who became a founding father of the United States and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Where did John Witherspoon preach in Paisley?

He preached at the Laigh Kirk in Paisley, now the site of the Paisley Arts Centre.

How did Witherspoon influence American politics?

As President of Princeton, he educated leaders like James Madison and helped shape early American republican values.

Walk in Witherspoon’s Footsteps

At Paisley Tours, we bring Witherspoon’s story home. We’ll take you to the site of his church, the Abbey he walked beside, and the very streets that shaped the man who helped shape a nation.

Think freedom was born in America? It was rehearsed here first.

🗝️ Want to walk where a founding father once preached?

Join our Paisley Walking Tour and discover how our wee town helped write world history.